At the international competition "Best Calligrapher of 2025," which is annually organized by the newspaper "Khumuun Bichig" under the auspices of the National Information Agency "MONTSAME," employees of the U.S. Embassy actively participated. This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
A special award for contributions to the development of Mongolian writing was presented to the U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia, Richard Buangan.
“I want to express my gratitude to President Khurelsukh Ukhna for recognizing my work at the 'Best Mongolian Calligrapher of 2025' competition, which was announced at the award ceremony. It is a great honor for me to receive such an award among leading Mongolian calligraphers and my colleagues from the diplomatic community. This year, three Americans from our embassy presented their creations, and I am proud that all three works were selected for the exhibition. Although the preparation was not easy, studying and practicing traditional Mongolian calligraphy over the past year has been an important stage in my experience. I am glad that competitions like 'Best Mongolian Calligrapher' continue to support this wonderful tradition,” shared Ambassador Richard Buangan.
This year, three diplomats from the U.S. Embassy participated in the competition. Preparation took more than 12 months, and Ambassador Richard Buangan, along with two colleagues, worked for about a month on their pieces, carefully refining every detail. Since his appointment in Mongolia nearly three years ago, he has been continuously studying the Mongolian language. For over a year, Buangan has been actively working on learning Mongolian writing, which is a challenging task due to its complexity. He described participating in the competition as an important step in mastering the language and culture of the country in which he serves.
Over the past year, the ambassador has focused on improving his calligraphic skills, striving for accuracy and aesthetic expression. The ability to write greetings and simple texts in Mongolian has become a significant step in his personal and professional growth.
According to John Konard, the second secretary of the U.S. Embassy, the ambassador plans to continue studying Mongolian writing both during his service and after its completion. He is proud of his achievements, considering the cultural and linguistic complexities of this process.
